Pam Fesslerhttp://publicradioeast.org
enAmericans Donated $358 Billion In 2014 For Record Donationshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/americans-donated-358-billion-2014-record-donations
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Americans+Donated+%24358+Billion+In+2014+For+Record+Donations&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MzM1ODU4MDEzMTg5NjcxOTBkZGJhOA004)"/></div><p>Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:07:00 +0000Pam Fessler71484 at http://publicradioeast.orgFor Baltimore Businesses, Aid For Riot Repair Is Not Coming Fast Enough http://publicradioeast.org/post/baltimore-businesses-riot-aid-not-coming-fast-enough
It took only minutes for stores in Baltimore to be destroyed on the night of April 27. But six weeks later, the repair process is still limping along. And stores not directly affected by the violence say they've also seen a sharp decline in business.<p>"Look outside, there's nobody," says Pedro Silva, owner of Carolina's Tex-Mex Restaurant in Fells Point, a usually busy tourist spot. "Before, we used to be no parking space. Now it's empty. It's empty — day, night."<p>Silva says that since the riots, business at the restaurant has been cut in half.Tue, 09 Jun 2015 07:38:00 +0000Pam Fessler70943 at http://publicradioeast.orgFor Baltimore Businesses, Aid For Riot Repair Is Not Coming Fast Enough Trans In Transition: Finding Friends And Community In D.C.http://publicradioeast.org/post/trans-transition-finding-friends-and-community-dc
Hanging out on the front porch on a warm evening, people tend to open up a little more than usual. Which is what happened when I sat with Ruby Corado and two other trans women outside a house Corado runs for homeless transgender adults. I was there to do <a href="http://www.npr.org/2015/05/27/409796173/casa-ruby-is-a-chosen-family-for-trans-people-who-need-a-home">a profile of Corado</a>, an activist in Washington, D.C.<p>At one point, two of the women mentioned being fathers. I don't know why, but I was surprised. It's difficult enough for adults to grasp what it means to be transgender.Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:18:00 +0000Pam Fessler70788 at http://publicradioeast.orgTrans In Transition: Finding Friends And Community In D.C.Casa Ruby Is A 'Chosen Family' For Trans People Who Need A Homehttp://publicradioeast.org/post/casa-ruby-chosen-family-trans-people-who-need-home
<em><strong>Editor's note:</strong> This story contains language that some may find offensive.</em><p><em><em>This story is part of an occasional series about individuals who don't have much money or power but do have a big impact on their communities.</em></em><p>If you're transgender in America, you're far more likely than other people to be unemployed, homeless and poor. And there's <a href="http://endtransdiscrimination.org/report.html">a 4 in 10 chance you've tried to kill yourself</a>.<p>It can be a confusing and lonely life.<p>One woman who's been through it all is Ruby Corado.Wed, 27 May 2015 07:31:00 +0000Pam Fessler69941 at http://publicradioeast.orgCasa Ruby Is A 'Chosen Family' For Trans People Who Need A HomeFTC And States File Suit Against 4 Sham Cancer Charitieshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/ftc-and-states-file-suit-against-4-sham-cancer-charities
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=FTC+And+States+File+Suit+Against+4+Sham+Cancer+Charities&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MDA0NzIzMDEzMTM3NjQ4NzBhNjYxZg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>There's a major crackdown against, of all things, cancer charities. The Federal Trade Commission and all 50 states have filed a complaint against four groups. Authorities say the groups are scams that allegedly duped well-intentioned donors of $187 million.Wed, 20 May 2015 09:18:00 +0000Pam Fessler69441 at http://publicradioeast.orgCheap And Fast, Online Voter Registration Catches Onhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/cheap-and-fast-online-voter-registration-catches
Voters in more than half the states will soon be able to register online, rather than filling out a paper form and sending it in.<p>Twenty states have implemented online voter registration so far, almost all in the past few years. Seven other states and the District of Columbia are now in the process of doing so. That includes Florida, where Republican Gov.Mon, 18 May 2015 19:55:00 +0000Pam Fessler69315 at http://publicradioeast.orgCheap And Fast, Online Voter Registration Catches OnAfter Police Are Charged In Gray's Death, Baltimore Awaits Next Stepshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/after-police-are-charged-grays-death-baltimore-awaits-next-steps
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=After+Police+Are+Charged+In+Gray%27s+Death%2C+Baltimore+Awaits+Next+Steps&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAwMTM1NDgzMDEyMzg2MDcwMzJjODJiYQ004)"/></div><p>Sat, 02 May 2015 21:49:00 +0000Pam Fessler68161 at http://publicradioeast.orgDemonstrators Jubilant After Baltimore Police Chargeshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/demonstrators-jubilant-after-baltimore-police-charges
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Demonstrators+Jubilant+After+Baltimore+Police+Charges&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDEwNzk2ODM0MDEzNTkxMjU2MDA2YzI0Nw004)"/></div><p>Sat, 02 May 2015 11:59:00 +0000Pam Fessler68135 at http://publicradioeast.orgVulnerable Voting Machine Raises Questions About Election Securityhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/hacked-touchscreen-voting-machine-raises-questions-about-election-security
Computer security experts have warned for years that some voting machines are vulnerable to attack. And this week, in Virginia, the <a href="http://elections.virginia.gov/Files/Media/ELECT-PressRelease-4-14-2015.pdf">state Board of Elections decided to impose an immediate ban </a>on touchscreen voting machines used in 20 percent of the state's precincts, because of newly discovered security concerns.<p>The problems emerged on Election Day last November in Spotsylvania County. The AVS WINVote touchscreen machines used in precinct 302 began to shut down.<p>"One machine would go and crash.Thu, 16 Apr 2015 09:06:00 +0000Pam Fessler66902 at http://publicradioeast.orgVulnerable Voting Machine Raises Questions About Election SecurityOn Welfare? Don't Use The Money For Movies, Say Kansas Lawmakershttp://publicradioeast.org/post/welfare-dont-use-money-movies-say-kansas-lawmakers
Welfare recipients in Kansas may soon be barred from spending their benefits on activities like going to the movies or swimming, or from withdrawing more than $25 per day from bank machines.<p>If Gov. Sam Brownback signs the bill, it will become one of the strictest welfare laws in the country. It's one of a number of such measures popping up in states that say they're trying to reduce fraud and get people off the welfare rolls.Thu, 09 Apr 2015 22:11:00 +0000Pam Fessler66464 at http://publicradioeast.orgTrading Walkathons For Ice Buckets, Charities Try To Hold On To Donorshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/trading-walkathons-ice-buckets-charities-try-hold-donors
Springtime means outdoor charity events, and there are plenty to choose from.<p>You can walk, run, bike, swim or even roll around in the mud to raise money for a cause.Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:39:00 +0000Pam Fessler65820 at http://publicradioeast.orgTrading Walkathons For Ice Buckets, Charities Try To Hold On To DonorsEngineer Turned Cabbie Helps New Refugees Find Their Wayhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/engineer-turned-cabbie-helps-new-refugees-find-their-way
<em>This story is part of an occasional series about individuals who don't have much money or power but do have a big impact on their communities.</em><p>Almost 70,000 refugees — victims of war, hardship and persecution — are allowed into the U.S. each year. But settling into their new homes can be a challenge, from learning English to figuring out how to turn on the dishwasher.<p>Omar Shekhey says he's there to help.Wed, 01 Apr 2015 07:55:00 +0000Pam Fessler65743 at http://publicradioeast.orgEngineer Turned Cabbie Helps New Refugees Find Their WayMan Brings Joy And New Shoes To Somali Refugeeshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/man-brings-joy-and-new-shoes-somali-refugees
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Man+Brings+Joy+And+New+Shoes+To+Somali+Refugees&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4MDA0NzIzMDEzMTM3NjQ4NzBhNjYxZg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>SCOTT SIMON, HOST: <p>In Clarkston, Ga. near Atlanta, there's a Somali-American man who helps refugees get settled. His name is Omar Shekhey and NPR's Pam Fessler went to Clarkston to meet him.Sat, 28 Mar 2015 11:39:00 +0000Pam Fessler65492 at http://publicradioeast.orgSupreme Court Declines To Hear Challenge To Strict Wisconsin Voter ID Lawhttp://publicradioeast.org/post/supreme-court-declines-challenge-strict-wisconsin-voter-id-law
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision Monday not to hear a case involving the constitutionality of Wisconsin's strict voter ID requirement shifts attention now to voter identification laws working their way through the courts in Texas and North Carolina.<p>As in Wisconsin, these laws are being challenged on the grounds that they hurt minorities and other voters who are less likely to have the required government-issued photo ID.Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:29:00 +0000Pam Fessler65134 at http://publicradioeast.orgSupreme Court Declines To Hear Challenge To Strict Wisconsin Voter ID LawBoth Parties Agree The Food Stamp Program Needs To Change. But How?http://publicradioeast.org/post/push-move-food-stamp-recipients-jobs
When it comes to the food stamps — or SNAP benefits as they're now called — there are few areas where Republicans and Democrats agree. But getting some of the 46 million people now receiving SNAP into the work force is one of them.<p>Last year Congress approved $200 million for states to test the best way to move people into jobs.Fri, 20 Mar 2015 09:05:00 +0000Pam Fessler64905 at http://publicradioeast.orgBoth Parties Agree The Food Stamp Program Needs To Change. But How?Many Unaccompanied Minors No Longer Alone, But Still In Limbohttp://publicradioeast.org/post/many-unaccompanied-minors-no-longer-alone-still-limbo
Last summer, NPR spoke with a teenage boy who fled the violence in his home country to come live with his aunt just outside of Washington, D.C. Jose was just one among the wave of unaccompanied youths from Central America who poured across the border last year.<p>Nine months later, he says he's very worried about the safety of his three younger siblings, who still live back home.Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:04:00 +0000Pam Fessler64078 at http://publicradioeast.orgMany Unaccompanied Minors No Longer Alone, But Still In LimboTerrorism Fears Complicate Money Transfers For Somali-Americanshttp://publicradioeast.org/post/terrorism-fears-complicate-money-transfers-somali-americans
Regulations intended to block money from getting into the hands of terrorist groups has led the last bank that handles most money transfers from the United States to Somalia to pull out of the business.<p>Somali refugees in the U.S.Wed, 25 Feb 2015 21:58:00 +0000Pam Fessler63211 at http://publicradioeast.orgTerrorism Fears Complicate Money Transfers For Somali-AmericansAround The U.S., Voting Technology Is All Over The Placehttp://publicradioeast.org/post/around-us-voting-technology-all-over-place
Remember all that new voting equipment purchased after the 2000 presidential election, when those discredited punch card machines were tossed out? Now, the newer machines are starting to wear out.<p>Election officials are trying to figure out what to do before there's another big voting disaster and vendors have lined up to help.<p>During their annual meeting in Washington, D.C., this week, state election officials previewed the latest voting equipment from one of the industry's big vendors, Election Systems and Software.<p>ES&S expects a huge surge in buying very soon.Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:51:00 +0000Pam Fessler62411 at http://publicradioeast.orgAround The U.S., Voting Technology Is All Over The PlaceHow The Voting Debates Will Be Different In 2015http://publicradioeast.org/post/how-voting-debates-will-be-different-2015
State legislatures are back in session, under more Republican control now than at any other time in U.S. history. One issue they'll be debating a lot is voting — who gets to do it and how.<p>It's a hot topic, but this year's debate could be less contentious than it has been in the past. One reason is that lawmakers will be considering a lot of proposals to make voting easier and more efficient.<p>"In many states the most divisive battles have already been fought," says David Becker, director of election initiatives at the Pew Charitable Trusts.Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:37:00 +0000Pam Fessler61623 at http://publicradioeast.orgHow The Voting Debates Will Be Different In 2015Homeless Man Encourages Others On The Streets To 'Get Up'http://publicradioeast.org/post/homeless-man-encourages-others-streets-get
<em>This story begins an occasional series about individuals who don't have much money or power but do have a big impact on their communities.</em><p>Sometimes, the people you'd least expect are those who do the most. People like <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/03/14/174302726/homeless-age-faster">Tony Simmons</a>, a homeless man in Baltimore who helps others get off the street. Simmons says he does it as much for himself as for anyone else.<p>Simmons is 53 years old and a former Marine. He's also a former heroin addict and drug runner and was in and out of jail.Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:25:00 +0000Pam Fessler61021 at http://publicradioeast.orgHomeless Man Encourages Others On The Streets To 'Get Up'